The First Day of the Rest of Your Lives: Honeymoon options for every budget

By Jennifer E. O'Brien/VOW

Published 3:44 pm, Monday, October 25, 2010

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The First Day of the Rest of Your Lives: Honeymoon options for every budget

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With so many wedding details, the honeymoon can sometimes become little more than an afterthought. But this is one vacation that's worth planning for! Your honeymoon is your time to truly get away and celebrate your union and future, so be sure to put thought and effort into designing your escape. In addition to deciding how much to spend and how long the trip will last, travel experts recommend couples think about what type of experience they want from their honeymoon.

Travel writer and blogger Kim Swidler, author of the upcoming Golden Traveler's Passport, says that when she was planning her honeymoon five years ago, she knew she wanted an adventurous trip that would not break the bank. More and more, Swidler finds that couples are paying for some, if not all, of their wedding expenses. "I'm starting my new life; I don't want it to be where I have to pay bills for the next three years," says Swidler.

While you might be anxious to get to your destination, pace yourself; avoid the early morning flight the day after the wedding. Take a day or two, if possible, to unwind before embarking on your next adventure. Along with researching possible destinations, Swidler recommends couples check out the weather and political climate. "It's wonderful to think this is romantic or this is adventurous, but you've got to really think in advance about where you're heading. It's not like you will cancel it, but there might be an advisory."

Short on Time and Money

If you're short on time or working within a fixed budget, Swidler reminds couples that, though often overlooked because of its close proximity, New York City is one of the most exciting places in the world. "There is the Met, all the museums, the Broadway plays, opera, NYC Ballet, anything you can imagine." While it is considered an expensive city, Swidler says it is usually possible to get reasonable deals.

Other possible car trips from the Capital Region include heading to Boston, the Adirondacks, Montreal or Cape Cod, which is exactly where Niskayuna residents Christina and Anthony Chiravolo went after their June 2010 wedding. After seeing how much time and money went into planning their wedding, Christina says they decided not to plan a huge excursion, although they still wanted to get away. Having been to the Cape for a friend's wedding, they decided to return and booked a spot right on the ocean. "It was perfect weather and we did nothing but relax for seven days."

Middle of the Road Options

Peggy Goldman, co-owner and president of Friendly Planet Travel, a full service online travel agency, recommends that couples consider not only how much they are willing to spend on the trip but also how much they'll be willing to spend while they're away. "It's not a question of how much money you have, necessarily; it's a question of how much of this nest egg do we want to invest in this very short holiday," says Goldman. While a budget of $2,000 could get you to Thailand, for example, it would leave little money for spending. "You're not going to be able to go to a place like that and not want to spend money on special dinners and buy lots of souvenirs." Instead, Goldman suggests couples consider booking at an all-inclusive resort where meals are included.

After their October 2009 wedding, Katie and Joe Gagnon of East Greenbush spent a week at an all inclusive resort in Mexico. It turned out to be the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Katie says they spent time lounging at the pool but also visited Mayan ruins and went snorkeling. "We liked the idea of having it all there and not having to worry about where we're going to dinner that night and how much we're going to spend," she says. "It made things a lot easier."

The Sky is the Limit

If you're fortunate enough to have no budgetary or time concerns, Swidler suggests combining luxury and fun. The New York City-based professional society The Explorers Club, for instance, hosts private jet tours; some of the itineraries include Wonders of the Amazon, Splendors of India and Circumnavigation of Newfoundland.

For a unique experience, Swidler suggests couples visit www.charitybuzz.com, a website that auctions off "celebrity experiences" for charity. Depending on your interest, you can bid for a walk -on part in your favorite television show or lunch with a noted celebrity -- and your winning bid will go to a worthy cause. This would be the perfect way to top off a honeymoon in a hotspot such as New York City or Los Angeles.

Want to travel to an exotic locale? Goldman suggests couples consider a safari in Africa with an extension trip to a beach resort in Botswana or another country. Goldman says a safari can appeal to newlyweds because even if they are with a group, it is generally small enough to allow for privacy. "The accommodations are usually beautiful in lovely natural settings and you can spend a lot of time by yourself," she says. "The flora and fauna in Africa is just so spectacular and there is just a cultural richness that you won't find in other places."

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